When you are planning a long road trip, one of the first things on your mind is likely to be the comfort of your ride. A truck may not be the most obvious choice for cross country driving given their historically poor fuel efficiency and limited cab room – but the Chevrolet Colorado might just defy expectations. Read on to discover the features of the Chevy Colorado that make it a contender for long distance driving.

Consistent comfort

The Colorado comes with a number of variants, allowing the purchaser to decide what will best suit their needs.  One of the most important decisions from a comfort perspective is whether to opt for the Crew Cab. If you anticipate passengers in the rear, the Crew Cab will offer significant additional leg room and ease of access. Regardless of which model you opt for, you can expect spacious and comfortable front seats.  

One of the most important comfort factors for any cross country drive is the driver’s seat. The driver’s seat in the Colorado sits high, giving the driver a good view of the road – an important asset during cross country travel. It holds the driver snugly in place and offers good ergonomics. The Colorado also offers sufficient storage compartments to tuck away all the items a driver might need during the trip, including a center console with cup holders. While you will certainly still need to take breaks to stretch, the Colorado should leave you feeling fine after day of driving.

Technology tools

One common concern with long drives is boredom. The Colorado offers some technology benefits to help combat boredom. The Colorado can act as a 4G LTE mobile WiFi hotspot, which means that drivers can download music or audiobooks to keep them entertained while passengers stream their favorite content. The WiFi access also allows drivers to use their phone as a navigation device without sucking up data. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Colorado supports most smartphones.

Electronic devices are becoming more and more important, keeping drivers and passengers connected and entertained. Whether it is a GPS device or smartphone, the Colorado includes four USB drives to keep devices charged.

Technology isn’t all about gadgets; safety is another important technology component in modern trucks. The truck comes standard with a rear vision camera and also offers optional forward collision alert and lane departure warning. The Colorado has secured a four star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Practical power

No matter how comfortable a vehicle is or how many technology perks it offers, it still needs to be able to perform on the road – especially for long drives. The base model comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder, 200hp engine and 26 MPG on the highway. One hesitation drivers might have with taking a truck for a long haul is gas mileage, but 26 MPG isn’t bad and represents a significant improvement over trucks of the past.

If you plan on significant, long distance driving, you may want to opt for the Duramax 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which offers best-in-class 30 MPG for highway driving. Regardless of which engine you choose, the Colorado should have enough power to keep you comfortable and competitive on the road.

If you’re in the market for a truck and you know you have some long drives ahead of you, the Chevy Colorado may just tick all the boxes for you, especially if you are willing to splurge for the Crew Cab and diesel engine upgrades. It is roomy and comfortable, focuses on technology and safety, and offers impressive fuel efficiency with the diesel engine.